In 1995, the Department of Dermatology at Edinburgh University headed by Professor Jonathan Rees successfully identified the gene responsible for pigment production, the melanocortin 1 receptor. The melanocortin 1 receptor gene or MC1R is a genetically encoded protein that all humans have in pairs, one donated by each parent. Professor Rees and his lab discovered that four to five common variations of MC1R are responsible for the production of red hair. All of the red hair variants (or alleles) of the MC1R gene cause the receptor to not function.
When I first started venturing down the path of studying the relationship of red hair to health, I was so excited to find out about the discovery of our red hair variants! Because red hair is a relatively rare mutation, it makes it easier for scientists to spot. The last I checked they still were trying to isolate blonde hair variants; and the combination of pale skin and dark hair completely perplexes them.
When you do a search on PubMed, there are so many studies published about MC1R. When I first delved into this research, I was completely overwhelmed and didn't understand a dang thing I read. Only after taking a human physiology class, was I able to begin understanding the studies about MC1R. My challenge in this blog will be to convey the information that I have learned in an understandable way. So if I don't make sense or you go "huh?" - just let me know.
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